Ladder construction



Feb. 26, 1963 H. B. Rim

LADDER CONSTRUCTION Filed De c. so, 1960 INVENTOR. HOWARD B. RICH. BMaaee/J PJIMI I II II """"""""p" 3,078,955 LADDER CONSTRUCTIGN Howard B. Rich, (Iarrollton, Ky, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Leatherwood Manufacturing Company, 1112., iarlrsville, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Filed Dec. 39, B64), Ser. No. 79,818 4- Claims. (Cl. 182-206) This invention relates to a ladder construction. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved con struction for a ladder having hooks at the tops of rails thereof.

An object of this invention is to provide a ladder construction in which hook-shaped supports on the side rails can pivot or swing between an operative position extending outwardly therefrom and a folded position in alignment with rungs thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ladder of this type in which hook-shaped support portions are pivotally mounted on main portions of the ladder rails and in which a sheath of resilient plastic material overlies the joint between the hook-shaped portion and the main rail portion to control relative swinging thereof and to provide a substantially liquid proof seal covering the pivotal joint or connection.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ladder of this type which can be used as a boarding ladder and which can float in water or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ladder of this type in which rungs are formed of metal channels through which rails extend and in which each rung is re inforced by a wood core and in which rivets extend through flanges of the rungs and through the core and through side rails to lock the rungs in position on the rails.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ladder of this type in which the core of at least one rung is formed in two spaced portions, in which stub legs are pivotally mounted on spaced pivots mounted on said spaced portions and in which the stub legs can swing between an extended position for engaging the side of a boat or the like and a retracted position in which free ends of the stub legs are received between the flanges of the rung and be tween inner ends of the portions of the core.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from the following detailed descrip tion, and the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a boarding ladder constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this .invention, the boarding ladder being shown mounted on a fragmentary portion of a boat, stub legs and hooks thereof being shown in extended position;

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken on the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a portion of the ladder;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ladder removed from the boat, the hooks of the ladder being shown in folded position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the ladder taken in the direction of the arrows 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in lengthwise section taken on the line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken on the line 7-7 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a view in section taken generally on the line 8-8 in FIG. 3.

in the following detailed description, and the drawing, like reference characters indicate like parts.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown a boarding ladder constructed Patented Feb. 26, 1963 ire in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. The ladder is shown mounted on a boat 11. The ladder includes a main rail section 12 of U-shape and formed of tubular metal such as aluminum. The main section 12 includes side rails 14 and 16 and a lower or cross piece 17 integral therewith. Rungs having channel-shaped main portions 13, 19, and 2.1 span the side rails 14- and 16 with the side rails extending through bores 22 in web portions of the channel-shaped rungs.

At upper ends of the side rails 14 and 16 are mounted U-shaped hook members 23 and 2d (H68. 1 and 2).

The hook members can be formed of tubular metal of the same type as forms the main section 12. The hook members are pivotally mounted on the side rails as shown most clearly in FIG. 6, where the mounting of hookshaped member 24 on side rail 15 is illustrated. The lower end of arm 25 of hook member 24 is necked down, as indicated at 27, and received inside the upper end portion of the rail 16. The metal of the members is rolled inwardly, as indicated at 28, to form mating annular necks 29 and 31 in the arm 25 and the rail. 16, respectively, which lock the parts in assembly but permit relative rotation thereof. An arm of the hook-shaped member 23 is similarly received in and pivotally mounted at the upper end of rail 14.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, a sheath 33 of tubular, resilient plastic material having rubber-like properties is mounted on the hook member 24 and rail 16 and covers the joint therebetween. A similar sheath 34 is mounted on hook member 23 and rail 14. The sheaths 33 and 34 seal the joints between rails and hook members to prevent entry of water into the interior of the hook members and the rail section 12. In addition, the sheaths firmly engage the rails 14 and i6 and resist turning of the hook members sulficiently to hold the hook members either in extended position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or in folded position, as shown in FIG. 4. Free ends of the hook members 23 and 2d are closed by caps 36 and 37, respectively. The construction of the cap 37 is shown in FIG. 7. The cap 37 is formed or" rubber or rubber-like material. The cap 37 includes an end port-ion or disc 38 and an annular wall 39 integral therewith. The wall 39 surrounds an end portion 41 of the hook memher and an end portion 42 of the sheath 33 to close the free end portion of the hook member.

As already pointed out, each of the rungs includes a channel-shaped metal main rung portion, which can be of aluminum or the like. Construction of one of the rungs is shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 8. Main portion 19 spans the rails 14 and 16. Core sect-ions 44 and 46 are received inside the flanges of the main portion 19. Rails 14 and 16 extend through bores 47 and 48, respectively, in core sections 44 and 46, respectively. The core sections can be made of wood or other suitable material which can firmly engage the rails at the bores. Rivets 4d and 51 extend through the flanges of the main rung portion 1% and through core sections 44 and 46, respectively. The rivets draw the flanges tightly against the core sections so that the core sections tightly grip the rails, and the core sections serve to back up the rivets and to seal openings in the rails through which the rivets pass so that water does not enter the hollow metal sections it the ladder is dropped into the water. 01 core sections 44 and 46 are mounted stub legs 52 and 53, respectively. The stub legs 52 and 53 are pivotally mounted on bolts 54 and 56, respectively, which extend through the core sections and through main rung portion 19. Washers 57 and 58 are received between the core portions and the stub legs to permit the stub legs to suing. Nuts 6% and 61 on the bolts 54 and es, respectively, may be of a locking type to prevent inadvertent release thereof. Free ends of the stub legs are provided with tips of rubber or rubber-like material 63 and 6 which can engage the side of the beat it, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the stub legs are in extended position. The stub legs can be swung into alignment with the rungs, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, for storage, and, when the stub legs are swung into this position, portions of the tips pass into the space between core sections and between flanges of the main rung portion so that the stub legs are held in this position.

The hook members and stub legs of the ladder can be swung into extended position for mounting on a boat as a boarding ladder or into retracted or tolded position for ready storage. At all times, the hollow, tubular main section and the hook portions or" the ladder are substantially sealed against entry of water so that, even it the ladder is dropped into the water, it cannot sink because of air trapped inside the hollow portions.

The ladder described above and illustrated'in the drawing is subject to structural modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A boarding ladder which comprises spaced elongated tubular rails, rungs spanning the rails, \J-shaped tubular hook members mounted on upper ends of the rails, there being overlapping portions on the hook members and the rails, there being mating annular grooves in the overlapping portions, whereby the hook members are swingably mounted on the rails, and a sheath member of plastic, liquid impervious material mounted in overlying closely engaging relation with each hook member and the rail associated therewith, the sheath members sealing the joints and resisting turning movement of the hook members, whereby the hook members are holdable in selected extended and folded positions.

2. A boarding ladder which comprises spaced elongated tubular rails, an integral tubular cross piece connecting lower ends of the rails, rungs spanning the rails, U-shaped tubular hook members mounted on'upper ends of the rails, there being overapping portions on the hook members and the rails, there being mating annular grooves in the overlapping portions, whereby the hook members are swingably mounted on the rails, and a sheath member of plastic, liquid impervious mate rial mounted in overlying closely engaging relation with each book member and the rail associated therewith, the sheath members sealing the joints and resisting turning movement of the hook members, whereby the hook members are hoidable in selected extended and folded positions.

3. A boarding ladder which comprises spaced elongated tubular rails, rungs spanning the rails, each of sald rungs including a channel-shaped main portion, a core between and engaging the flanges of the main portion, the rails extending through openings in the core and through the web of the main portion, and fastener means extending through flanges of the main portion and through the core and the rail, each fastener means engaging outer faces of the flanges to draw the core firmly against the rails to seal openings in the rails at the flanges, U-shaped tubular hook members mounted on upper ends of the rails, there being overlapping portions on the hook members and the rails, there being mating annular grooves in the overlapping portions, whereby the hook members are swingably mounted on the rails, and a sheath member of plastic, liquid impervious material mounted in overlying closely engaging relation with each hook member and the rail associated therewith, the sheath members sealing the joints and resisting turning movement of the hook members, whereby the hook members are holdable in selected extended and folded positions.

4. A boarding ladder which comprises spaced elongated tubular rails, rungs spanning the rails, one of said rungs including a channel-shaped main portion, a core between flanges of the main portion, said core including spaced core sections mounted on the rails, a stub leg pivotally mounted on each core section, each of the stub legs swinging in a plane extending transversely of the rails between an extended position extending outwardly from said one of the rungs and a folded position aligned with said one of the rungs, enlarged end portions on free ends of the stub legs engageable with the flanges of the main portion when the stub legs are in folded posi* tion, U-shaped hook members mounted on upper ends of the rails, there being overlapping portions on the hook members and the rails, there being mating annular grooves in the overlapping portions, whereby the hook members are swingably mounted on the rails to swing between an extended position extending outwardly from the rungs and a folded position aligned with the rungs, the ladder being mountable on a .boat when inextended position with the hook members overlying a top edge of a side of the boat and the stub legs engaging the side of the boat.

References :Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 179,748 Tunstead Feb. 19, 1957 D. 185,212 Klages May 19, 1959 282,314 Hefiner July 31, 1883 720,891 Chamberlain et a1. Feb. 17, 1903 1,139,990 Merrill May 18, 1915 1,228,073 Slavitt May 29, 1917 1,349,125 Full Aug. 10, 1920 1,376,476 Stepke May 3, 1921 2,373,346 Schneider Apr. 10, 1945 2,758,770 Wagner Aug. 14, 19.56 2,896,831 Ellingson July 28, 1959 2,974,718 Lawrence et al Mar. 14, 1961 2,992,697 Klages July 18, 1961 3,006,434 Rich Oct. 31, 1961 

1. A BOARDING LADDER WHICH COMPRISES SPACED ELONGATED TUBULAR RAILS, RUNGS SPANNING THE RAILS, U-SHAPED TUBULAR HOOK MEMBERS MOUNTED ON UPPER ENDS OF THE RAILS, THERE BEING OVERLAPPING PORTIONS ON THE HOOK MEMBERS AND THE RAILS, THERE BEING MATING ANNULAR GROOVES IN THE OVERLAPPING PORTIONS, WHEREBY THE HOOK MEMBERS ARE SWINGABLY MOUNTED ON THE RAILS, AND A SHEATH MEMBER OF PLASTIC, LIQUID IMPERVIOUS MATERIAL MOUNTED IN OVERLYING CLOSELY ENGAGING RELATION WITH EACH HOOK MEMBER AND THE RAIL ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, THE SHEATH MEMBERS SEALING THE JOINTS AND RESISTING TURNING MOVEMENT OF THE HOOK MEMBERS, WHEREBY THE HOOK MEMBERS ARE HOLDABLE IN SELECTED EXTENDED AND FOLDED POSITIONS. 